New virtual-PC software outshines Microsoft’s

Version 7 of Microsoft’s Virtual PC virtualization software is OK, but the program is much-more limited than competing third-party apps are.

Alternative virtualization programs offer more power and flexibility than Microsoft’s — and they’re just as free as Virtual PC!

Your virtual-PC options just got broader Reader George Waller isn’t at all happy with the latest virtual-machine offering from Microsoft:

“I use Virtual PC 2007 on Windows XP for a variety of training and simulation purposes. I have virtual machines emulating all Windows OSes from Windows 3.1 through Windows Server 2008 and hosting various other servers, such as SQL Server and Exchange Server.

“Naturally, OSes before Windows 2000 don’t get a lot of use, except to remind me how far Microsoft has come. However, I do have one legacy application that will run on Win98 SE but not on later OSes.

“I wasn’t surprised to learn that a new version of Microsoft Virtual PC has been released to support Windows 7, and it includes a number of features — such as USB support — that promise to be very useful. However, I was surprised to learn that the only supported guest OSes are Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

“Is Microsoft just trying a heavy-handed approach to force a migration to the newer OSes, or have they again managed to step on their own crank and provided yet another reason for not upgrading from Windows XP? Meanwhile, I’ll be researching the capabilities of VMware.”

Trademarks: Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The Windows Secrets series of books is published by Wiley Publishing Inc. The Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, WinFind, Windows Gizmos, Security Baseline, Patch Watch, Perimeter Scan, Wacky Web Week, the Logo Design (W, S or road, and Star), and the slogan Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention all are trademarks and service marks of iNET Interactive. All other marks are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.